Shen Suifeng didn’t know exactly what had happened, but he could tell they didn’t want him involved—so he kept his distance. Once he got Feng Lezhen’s assurance, he relaxed.
“If you ever need me, just say so,” he said earnestly. “My brother can be stubborn, but he’ll still listen to me somewhat. If there’s anything Your Highness can’t say to him, let me do it.”
Feng Lezhen smiled. “Don’t worry—I won’t stand on ceremony with you.”
Shen Suifeng nodded, and seeing there was nothing more to say, he stayed quiet.
Looking at his gentle face, Feng Lezhen suddenly asked, “Do you want to go somewhere?”
Shen Suifeng paused. “Right now? If Your Highness wants to, we can go out…”
“I mean leave Yingguan—go somewhere else,” Feng Lezhen interrupted with a smile. “I remember you used to love running around. Staying here every day—don’t you find it boring?”
Shen Suifeng paused slightly, his expression turning a little more serious. “What does Your Highness mean by that?”
“Don’t be anxious, I was just casually asking,” Feng Lezhen quickly said.
Shen Suifeng was displeased. “You knew I’d be anxious, so why ask?”
“Alright, alright, it’s my fault. Don’t be mad, Dr. Shen,” Feng Lezhen softened her tone to coax him.
Shen Suifeng glanced at her. “Did my brother say something to you? Your Highness, best not to overthink it. I’m not going anywhere.”
Why not? Feng Lezhen wanted to ask, but seeing the coldness in his eyes, she thought for a moment and held her tongue.
But the question she didn’t ask—Qi Jingqing eventually did.
“Why don’t you leave?”
Shen Suifeng’s response was to pierce a needle into the base of his thumb without changing expression, making Qi Jingqing draw in a sharp breath from the pain.
“Probably… because I’m unsure,” Shen Suifeng said slowly.
Qi Jingqing’s eyes shifted slightly, looking at him seriously.
“What are you looking at? You’re one of the reasons I’m unsure,” Shen Suifeng sneered. “So young, and instead of doing something proper, you insist on coveting someone else’s beloved.”
“You two aren’t married,” Qi Jingqing implied he still had a chance.
Shen Suifeng pushed the needle in a little deeper and asked expressionlessly, “If we were married, would you stop coveting her?”
Qi Jingqing fell silent.
Shen Suifeng snorted softly and lowered his head to insert another needle.
“You don’t understand,” Qi Jingqing said with a tinge of melancholy. “I’ve had her in my heart since I was eight years old.”
“Eight years old and already lusting after a little girl—you’re really something.” Maybe it was because Qi Jingqing looked so harmless, Shen Suifeng found it hard to be wary of him. Even listening to his confession now didn’t make him feel particularly annoyed.
Qi Jingqing gave a helpless smile. “I feel guilty toward her. In the beginning, it was just a simple attachment. But after she got engaged to Fu Zhixian, I suddenly thought—he and I are both called the twin talents of Great Qian. If it hadn’t been for that incident at the pond back then, would the one engaged to her have been me? That single thought spiraled into hundreds, and I could no longer suppress it.”
“Even without the pond incident, she never would’ve been engaged to you,” Shen Suifeng poured cold water on him.
Seriously—Qi family’s military dominance had always been a thorn in every emperor’s side. Whether it was the former emperor or the current one, there was no way they’d marry the most powerful princess to someone like him.
Qi Jingqing probably understood that too. After a long silence, he gave a faint smile. “I was never worthy in the first place.”
Shen Suifeng glanced at him and said nothing.
The two of them sat there in silence, like stiff statues. The young page by the side kept his eyes respectfully lowered and thought to himself: it’s one thing if his young master was worried about unrequited love, but how come Dr. Shen had already won the beauty’s heart and still looked so gloomy?
Before he could figure it out, the needle at Qi Jingqing’s thumb reached its time. Shen Suifeng suddenly seemed to come back to life and pulled it out.
Qi Jingqing looked at the bead of blood seeping out and frowned. “Did you do that on purpose?”
“Why would you think that?” Shen Suifeng asked, all innocence.
“You’ve done acupuncture on me before, and it’s never bled.” As Qi Jingqing finished speaking, Shen Suifeng pressed on the puncture point and forced the blood out.
The page’s eyelid twitched. “That’s not allowed, Dr. Shen!”
“Why not?” Shen Suifeng pressed the blood out, then wiped it clean with a handkerchief. “Didn’t you invite me here to treat his poor appetite?”
“B-bleeding is part of the treatment?” The page was speechless.
Shen Suifeng raised an eyebrow. “If not, you do it?”
“…Forget it.” The page mumbled, no longer daring to argue.
Qi Jingqing, on the other hand, didn’t mind. He leaned lazily against the pillow. He had gotten even thinner lately; his bones were clearly visible under his robes, but his face remained handsome. His current languid look even gave off a hint of that fragile, beautiful sickly charm.
“Luckily, she met me first,” Shen Suifeng suddenly said.
Qi Jingqing lowered his gaze. “Yes… she met you first.”
The two fell silent again.
The page glanced at one, then the other, thoroughly confused, and quietly retreated. Now, only the two of them remained in the large room, and the silence deepened.
After a while, Qi Jingqing asked, “You said I’m one of the reasons you’re unwilling to leave. Is that true?”
“False,” Shen Suifeng admitted bluntly. “Her Highness is indeed a beauty, but not to the point where I’d tolerate her being entangled with someone else while still by her side.”
Qi Jingqing tugged at the corner of his lips. “Then why are you unwilling to leave Yingguan?”
“Because I feel uncertain.”
After Shen Suifeng said that, the two of them realized their conversation had gone in circles, and their looks toward each other were filled with mutual speechlessness.
Qi Jingqing sighed. “So, you’re so confident in your relationship with Her Highness that you think I don’t stand a chance—yet you still feel uncertain?”
Shen Suifeng was quiet for a long time before letting out a bitter laugh. “I’m not interested in what Her Highness is trying to achieve.”
Qi Jingqing looked up at him.
“Don’t look at me. I tried to keep pace with her, but all it led to was arguments. Strangely enough, it’s only after I stopped asking about her affairs that we finally got along. That’s the way we found to get along,” Shen Suifeng explained carefully. “With this arrangement, we don’t argue anymore, and our relationship has actually gotten better. But at the same time, she’s stopped telling me about many things.”
“You’re the one who chose not to ask,” Qi Jingqing reminded him.
Shen Suifeng chuckled. “Yes, I chose not to ask. So I must also accept the disappointment and helplessness of not knowing what she’s doing. All I can do now is wait for her to come home every night and stay with her when she’s tired. If I leave Yingguan, I fear I won’t even be able to do that.”
He fell silent again for a while, then rubbed his brow.
“I’m not afraid of you taking advantage of the situation. I’m just afraid that if I leave Yingguan… she’ll realize my presence or absence makes no difference at all.”
He trusted in their feelings for each other—yet didn’t trust himself.
He had finally voiced the true concern buried in his heart, and ironically, the one he confessed it to was his love rival. Shen Suifeng himself found it laughable and absurd, a strange and indescribable feeling.
Qi Jingqing met his gaze for a long time before nodding. “Then indeed, you can’t leave.”
Shen Suifeng gave a short laugh and pulled a prescription from his sleeve, handing it to him. Qi Jingqing glanced at the long list of herbs and twitched at the corner of his eye. “I still suspect you’re abusing your position for revenge.”
“If you don’t start eating properly, you’ll find I’ll be ‘avenging personal grievances’ every day,” Shen Suifeng sneered.
Qi Jingqing was speechless for a moment and had no choice but to agree to eat one extra bowl at dinner that night.
After Shen Suifeng left, the young page peeked back into the room.
“Your Lordship, did you tell Dr. Shen that his brother has joined with other merchants to cut off all business with Yingguan?” the page asked.
Qi Jingqing’s expression was calm and composed. “Since Her Highness hasn’t said anything, why should I?”
The page hesitated. “But if he knew, maybe he could help Her Highness out of this trouble.”
“I can help Her Highness myself—why bring him into it?” Qi Jingqing lowered his gaze, gently brushing the pinprick at the base of his thumb. “If he believes that staying out of Her Highness’s affairs is the way to avoid conflict and maintain a lasting relationship, then let him be.”
The page opened his mouth but, in the end, said nothing.
This time, Shen Suinian had clearly resolved to fight Feng Lezhen to the bitter end. As merchants ceased coming to Yingguan, goods like cloth, cotton, and soap began to run scarce. The prices of what remained skyrocketed. The meager money the people had earned from working with the government was nearly all spent covering the price hikes.
As the weather turned colder, people’s funds were running dry, and winter supplies were still unprepared. The whole of Yingguan fell into a state of panic. Even Qi Zhen, who normally ignored the concerns of the common people, could no longer sit still. He stormed into the Eldest Princess’s residence, demanding to know what Shen Suinian was playing at.
Though Shen Suinian had come quietly, he wasn’t surprised that Qi Zhen knew he was staying in the princess’s residence—after all, Yingguan was essentially Qi family territory.
Faced with Qi Zhen’s questioning, Shen Suinian told him the reason outright. Qi Zhen immediately turned and went to confront Feng Lezhen.
“You’re usually smart enough—how come you can’t think straight when it comes to this? There are so many men in the world. If you want one, go to the barracks and pick at will. I’ll give you however many you want. Why must you offend Shen Suinian over one single blade of grass?” Qi Zhen, one of the few who knew the truth of Shen Suifeng and Shen Suinian’s relationship, for once took a rare, earnest tone.
Feng Lezhen glanced at him calmly. “You’d give me anyone I want?”
“Of course! If I hesitate for even a second, I’m not a man!”
“Then I want Qi Jingqing.”
“Bullsh*t!” Qi Zhen snapped back before she’d even finished speaking, visibly flustered.
Feng Lezhen smiled. “It seems that even Lord Marquis has someone he can’t bear to sacrifice for the sake of the people. How coincidental—so do I.”
“Bullsh*t again!” Qi Zhen barked. “Jingqing is my son. Is Shen Suifeng your son too?”
“I love him like one.”
“…Feng Lezhen, I don’t have time to joke with you. Go outside and see for yourself—look what a mess this has become for the people,” Qi Zhen ground his teeth. “You’ve been in Yingguan nearly a year. You should know that winter here can truly kill. If they don’t get their supplies in place before the first snow, I fear they won’t survive it.”
Feng Lezhen lowered her gaze and sipped her tea, offering no reply.
Qi Zhen was so furious he nearly jumped, itching to stab her with a knife, but in the end, he did nothing and stormed off, cursing as he went.
Once he was gone, Feng Lezhen’s eyes turned cold. “Ah Ye.”
Ah Ye stepped out from the shadows, worry etched into her face. “Your Highness.”
“Any word from the capital?”
“…Not yet.”
Feng Lezhen said nothing more, but the hand holding her teacup slowly tightened.
Qi Zhen’s visit had only opened the floodgates—after him, others began coming one after another to try and persuade her. Shen Suifeng began to sense something was off in the household’s atmosphere, but because Shen Suinian had made it clear: if Suifeng learned of the situation, there would be no further chance for Yingguan. So everyone who knew remained tight-lipped around him.
Feng Lezhen grew increasingly quiet. She stopped going out, often staying in her study all day. Shen Suifeng found excuses to see her several times, but each time they said little.
He felt like something was slipping through his fingers.
“I think you’re just overthinking it. You never used to be like this,” Shen Suinian commented.
Shen Suifeng’s gaze darkened. “Brother, what’s really going on between you and Her Highness?”
“What could be going on? Don’t take out your issues with her on me,” said Shen Suinian, already past forty, unfazed by much, lying with practiced ease.
Shen Suifeng pressed his lips together. “She’s the woman I love most in this life. Brother, please don’t hurt her.”
Shen Suinian laughed at that, thinking, Life is long—how can you be so sure she’s the one? But he said nothing. As the one holding the advantage, there was no need to say anything. He only needed to wait for Feng Lezhen to compromise.
And if he was right, that moment was near.
Sure enough, three days later, Feng Lezhen summoned him to the study.
“Your Highness,” Shen Suinian greeted with a respectful bow.
Feng Lezhen looked at him calmly. “Do you know why I’ve called you?”
“Before long, the weather will fully turn. If the rice stored by the prefecture office isn’t distributed before the snow comes, it’ll rot in the granaries,” Shen Suinian replied humbly. “I imagine Your Highness has run out of patience.”
Feng Lezhen let out a soft laugh and leaned back lazily in her chair.
Even now, she showed not the slightest trace of defeat or frustration. As Shen Suinian looked into her calm eyes, he thought: No wonder the late emperor always lamented that she wasn’t born a man. If she were, the empire might have been hers instead of that one in the capital.
She had depths in her heart and stayed calm amid change—she truly carried the bearing of an emperor.
“I used to think that for Young Master Shen to expand the Shen family business to such heights at such a young age, he must be quite extraordinary. But now it seems… not so much,” Feng Lezhen looked at him coolly. “You caused panic among the people of Yingguan over a private matter between us. Truly, a crime deserving death.”
“This humble one had no other choice,” Shen Suinian bowed his head.
“No other choice?” Feng Lezhen let out a mocking laugh. “I suppose life has been going far too smoothly for you, Young Master Shen. You’ve nearly forgotten your own name, haven’t you? A mere merchant daring to stir up trouble and threaten an Eldest Princess of the blood—how wildly arrogant.”
Shen Suinian bowed his head even lower, offering no rebuttal.
Why bother refuting? He was over twenty years her senior, bullying a girl with little backing in Yingguan—he deserved to hear a few harsh words.
Feng Lezhen could see what he was thinking from his expression. She gave a soft chuckle and tossed the letter at his feet. “Take a look.”
Shen Suinian didn’t understand, but still respectfully picked up the letter and began reading it word for word. By the time he reached the second page, his expression had already changed.
“The state treasury is empty. His Majesty is preparing to solicit donations from all major commercial firms in Great Qian to fill it. As the top business in the empire, I fear the Shen firm will be bleeding heavily this time,” Feng Lezhen said with a sudden laugh. “No—this won’t be the last time. From now on, it’ll bleed once a year.”
“But the late emperor made it law that taxes couldn’t be raised lightly…”
“I said it was a donation. What does that have to do with taxes?” Feng Lezhen asked, feigning confusion.
Shen Suinian furrowed his brows. “The Shen firm dares not disobey, but the others may not be so willing.”
“After the donations, the emperor will grant policy support to each business to make commerce easier…” Feng Lezhen paused, as if realizing something. “Ah, I suppose that doesn’t concern the Shen firm. When it comes to support, naturally the ones who need help the most are prioritized. A massive enterprise like the Shen family—surely it can manage on its own.”
Having said this, she rose gracefully and strolled toward him at an unhurried pace. “You’re right. If I continue butting heads with you, it’s the commoners who will suffer. If I ask Suifeng to intercede, he’ll be caught in the middle. And if I use the Shen family to pressure him, it’ll only hasten the break between him and me.”
She sighed lightly. “That leaves me no choice but to look for other ways. Shen Suinian, do you believe that once Feng Ji’s imperial edict is issued, within three years, the Shen family will lose its title as the wealthiest, and in five, it’ll be no different from the rest—no matter how capable you are, you’ll never rise again.”
“…A lean camel is still bigger than a horse. Even if we can’t move forward, the Shen family won’t fall to ruin,” Shen Suinian said hoarsely.
Feng Lezhen smiled. “There’s no real difference between doing business and holding office. Anyone who makes it to the top has dirty hands. Once you lose your title as the wealthiest, do you think the Nanhe yamen will still protect you like they do now? And how many people do you think are already waiting for a chance to completely destroy the Shen family?”
In the same study, this time it was Feng Lezhen delivering blow after blow.
All of Shen Suinian’s previous pride had vanished. After a long silence, he finally rasped, “If you do this, Suifeng will never forgive you.”
“The decision was Feng Ji’s—what does that have to do with me?” Feng Lezhen replied.
Shen Suinian took a deep breath and sat in silence before speaking again, calm at last. “A national policy isn’t made overnight. Since word has already spread, it means His Majesty had long intended it… and back then, I don’t think I’d yet offended Your Highness.”
“This move was originally meant to force you to agree to cooperate. Since you came early, I was pleased. I thought there’d be no need to go this far. Who knew Young Master Shen would present me with such a ‘surprise,’” Feng Lezhen said with a soft smile.
Shen Suinian stared at her, stunned.
“I said it before—life has been too easy for you these past years. You’ve forgotten your place. ‘Commoners don’t contend with officials’—even ordinary folk know that. And you, Young Master Shen, don’t? You dared to threaten me?” Feng Lezhen took a step forward. Though a full head shorter than him, her presence was far more imposing. “I simply wanted you to understand how laughable your family’s so-called ‘neutrality’ really is.”
“I once tried to be polite with you, but now that things are out in the open, I don’t mind being blunt. If the Shen family won’t serve me, then I’ll see to it that it disappears. But if you’re smart and give your loyalty, I’ll ensure you keep your place as the wealthiest for a hundred years.”
Her words landed like iron. Shen Suinian could no longer maintain his composure. After a long while, he rasped, “Let me ask you just one thing—when you first approached Suifeng, had you already figured out how you would threaten me?”
“What does that have to do with Suifeng?” Feng Lezhen looked innocent. “Even if he didn’t exist, I’d have gone through Nanhe on my way to Yingguan all the same.”
Shen Suinian was left speechless, forced to reassess this girl before him.
No—how could she be just a girl? She was a demon in human skin, merciless and cunning, set on devouring the entire Shen family… and even refused to spare his only brother.
After a long pause, he gave a bitter smile. “I’ve lost.”
Feng Lezhen curved her lips. “Losing to me—there’s no shame in that.”
Shen Suinian’s smile grew more bitter. “Will Your Highness really not spare Suifeng?”
But when he brought it up again, Feng Lezhen turned and walked away.
“Suifeng was always gifted. Whether it was study or accounting, he excelled at everything. Our late father had high hopes for him—he dreamed that one day Sui Feng would inherit the family business. But later, Suifeng wanted to study medicine, to travel the great rivers and mountains. To stop him, our father made him kneel in the snow in the dead of winter. He said, ‘If you can kneel through the night, you can do whatever you want.’”
Feng Lezhen paused in her steps, her expression unreadable.
“Your Highness knelt like that once too—you should know how bitter such a night is. Suifeng had never suffered like that before, but he gritted his teeth and endured. That night’s wind was cold, the snow hardened by it—but he didn’t utter a word until sunrise. Only then did our father finally let him go.”
“People often ask me why I love my younger brother so much, yet can bear to let him wander outside. I always brush them off with some casual excuse, but in my heart, I remember that look in his eyes that night clearer than anyone.”
“He once told me, ‘Some people long for power and status, some yearn to read and travel a thousand miles through ten thousand books, and some… have no lofty ambitions at all, but simply crave freedom. In this life, I just want to be a doctor who roams the land.’ I have no doubt—he stayed because he was willing. But Your Highness, just because he stayed willingly, does that mean he enjoys this life? Ask yourself: locked within these four walls, is he truly happy?”
“I’ll say it again—whether he’s happy or not isn’t for you to decide,” Feng Lezhen turned back, casting him a cold glance. “If I gave him up today just because of your threats, that would truly be doing him wrong.”
“Your Highness—”
Feng Lezhen refused to hear any more. She pulled open the door, but paused when she saw who was outside.
“Your Highness…” Shen Suinian had followed after her, and froze as he met the calm gaze. “Suifeng?”
“So you really were fighting because of me,” Shen Suifeng said helplessly, amusement flickering in his eyes.
Feng Lezhen laughed softly and reached out her hand to him.
Shen Suifeng took her hand and asked, “Who won?”
“What do you think?” Feng Lezhen replied with a question of her own.
Suifeng glanced at one, then the other, and nodded. “My brother’s face looks that awful—it’s obvious he lost completely.”
Shen Suinian: “…” This little rascal—who do you think I was doing this for?!
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